The canoe cakes reviewed from Jumbo, PLUS and Aviateur are not suitable if sugar-free is a strict requirement. According to Jumbo and PLUS product information, they contain 36.8 g, 38.9 g and 38.0 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. The European Commission refers to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 for the ‘sugar-free’ claim; its annex sets a limit of no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If you choose a different treat, check its nutritional information and product type: ‘no added sugar’ does not automatically mean ‘sugar-free’ or ‘canoe cake’.
You’re looking for a treat for an Easter egg hunt where ‘sugar-free’ means more than a claim on the front of the pack. The ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g determines whether a product meets that requirement.
You want to hand out a treat, but the canoe shape and almond paste filling aren’t essential. This means you can consider other types of product too, checking the label of each one.
You’re handing out treats to people for whom ingredients matter. The product pages for the canoe cakes reviewed list wheat, milk, soya, egg or nuts, among other ingredients. Check the packaging of the version you buy.
First decide whether sugar-free is a strict requirement. It’s only worth comparing alternatives with a different claim or product shape if you’re happy to choose another type of biscuit.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free requirement | Check ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g and compare the figure with the maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g; don’t rely on the product name alone. | If I really want to hand out sugar-free treats, the value on the label must meet that limit. Around 50% of consumers make this their top requirement. |
| Different type of product | Check whether the alternative is a canoe cake and compare the sugar content per 100 g; ‘no added sugar’ is not the same claim as ‘sugar-free’. | The canoe shape matters less to me than choosing a treat whose sugar content I can assess. For around 30% of consumers, having the option to switch takes priority. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the current packaging of the version you’ve chosen. | Before handing out treats, I want to know whether the ingredients are suitable for the people taking part. This is the most important selection factor for around 20% of consumers. |
A biscuit’s name doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains overall. And choosing a different type of biscuit doesn’t automatically make it a suitable replacement for a canoe cake.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g with your requirement, and check separately what type of product it is.
Jumbo and PLUS product information lists 36.8 g and 38.9 g of sugars per 100 g respectively for the canoe cakes reviewed. The familiar shape of the biscuit doesn’t change these figures.
Before buying, decide whether the canoe shape or the sugar-free requirement comes first. Don’t choose these versions if sugar-free is essential.
Jumbo and PLUS product information lists several allergens in the canoe cakes reviewed. For a group activity, the specific product packaging must therefore be suitable for the people you’re giving the biscuits to.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the exact version you’re buying, including any warnings about possible traces.
Jumbo lists a 275 g own-brand butter canoe cake filled with almond paste.
PLUS lists 275 g own-brand butter canoe cakes with almond paste filling and an almond decoration.
The Aviateur Filled Canoes listed by Jumbo come in a pack of 7, weighing 325 g in total.
Lidl lists Sondey Canoe Cakes as butter biscuits filled with almond paste, in a 325 g pack.
Jumbo lists Verkade San Francisco Plain Zero Added Sugar as a different type of biscuit, not a canoe cake.
No, the canoe cakes reviewed from Jumbo, PLUS and Aviateur don’t meet that requirement. According to Jumbo and PLUS product information, they contain 36.8 g, 38.9 g and 38.0 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. This is above the maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g set out in the annex to Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 for the ‘sugar-free’ claim.
No, those words alone don’t tell you the total amount of sugars. Verkade San Francisco Plain Zero Added Sugar is also not a canoe cake. For this biscuit, check the ‘of which sugars’ figure and the ingredients on the packaging separately.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g for both products, rather than just the figure per biscuit or per serving. This gives you the same basis for comparison, even if the serving sizes differ.
Read the allergen information on the current packaging of the canoe cake you’re handing out. Jumbo and PLUS product information lists wheat, milk, soya, egg or nuts, among other ingredients, in the versions reviewed. Also check for any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging you’ve chosen.
